CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Philippines welcomed on Monday senior tourism officials from ASEAN nations for the 63rd ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) Meeting.
In her welcome remarks, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso, who is the Chair and Head of the Philippine National Tourism Organization, underscored the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable and inclusive tourism, highlighting Cebu not only as a destination but a symbol of regional cooperation.
“In 1998, it was here that the ministerial understanding on ASEAN cooperation in tourism was signed, an early and defining declaration that Southeast Asia could move forward, not as separate destinations competing for attention, but as a region, cooperating toward shared growth,” she said.
Buensuceso also urged fellow heads of national tourism organizations to convert today’s dialogues into tangible results toward shared progress.
“We are all in a most critical spot, an exciting position to transform vision, into practice,” she stated.
“What we decide and coordinate in the meetings like this translates into visitor journey, the competitiveness of our destinations, the resilience of our enterprises, and the livelihoods of our communities,” Buensuceso added.
This year, the Philippines assumes the ASEAN 2026 Chairship, hosting this week-long tourism event.
According to Buensuceso, this aligns with the overarching theme ‘Navigating Our Tourism Future, Together’ — a collective commitment towards a globally competitive tourism industry that benefits local communities and advances Southeast Asia’s vision as a sustainable and premier tourism destination.
During the meeting, Buensuceso also welcomed Timor-Leste’s participation as ASEAN’s 11th Member State.
